"My objective (this year) is to get everything in place before I retired," said Edwards, adding it was a "tough decision. I still enjoy getting up and coming here to work every day, but you have to retire sometime."

Edwards said he began as JVS superintendent after being hired 12 ago by the board.

"There were four members on the board then who are still there today, and the first thing they asked me was how long I would (commit) to being superintendent here, and I said at least eight years. Well, I've been here 12."

Edwards said this also marked his 42nd year in the education field.

In other business Tuesday:

Edwards told board members the school had met all federal standards for vocational training.

"I shared with the board that the school had met all eight (federal) indicators," said Edwards, adding indicators included placement of graduates into jobs and percentage of those who graduate. "The federal government says these are what is expected of us as a vocational training school. To meet all eight indicators is a very good report."

Edwards told board members the school's participation in the past several years in a state program to making the school more energy efficient was bearing fruit.

"Our Treasurer (Karen Spoonemore) will prepare the report," said Edwards. "Not only have we saved enough money for the improvements we made to pay for themselves, we've also saved even more (funds) over that."